The Wolf

How One German Raider Terrorized the Allies in the Most Epic Voyage of WWI

By: Richard Guilliatt, Peter Hohnen

Narrated by: Michael Page

Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1916, a nondescript freighter left Germany carrying 465 submarine mines, 16 torpedoes, eight cannons, 1,400 shells, a seaplane, and 346 men who believed they were embarking on a suicide mission. That ship became known to Allied forces as the Wolf, and by the time it returned to Germany more than a year later, it was home to more than 800 men, women, and children from 25 different nations, including its own crew.

Led by Captain Karl August Nerger, an honorable man who sank more than 30 Allied ships but spared the crews and passengers on board by taking them prisoner, the Wolf traveled 64,000 miles and remained at sea for 15 months without pulling into port. Capturing 400 prisoners, the Wolf became home to an extraordinary collection of humanity, from the secret lover of W. Somerset Maugham to a six-year-old American girl who was adopted as a mascot by the German crew. Forced to survive on plundered food, facing death from scurvy, and hunted by the combined navies of five Allied nations, the Germans and their prisoners came to share a close bond.

The Wolf is a gripping war narrative, painting a rich, detailed picture of a world profoundly shaped by global conflict.

©2010 Guilliatt, Richard and Hohnen, Peter (P)2010 Tantor

Germany's Most Successful WW1 Raider

Would you listen to The Wolf again? Why?

Yes. Exciting.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The captain. He maintained such equanimity under such stressful circumstances.

Which character – as performed by Michael Page – was your favorite?

All of them very good.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the captains had to witness their ships being sunk. Very sad.

Any additional comments?

This is an excellent "listen."

A Great Adventure Back to Naval Raids in WW I

I enjoyed this very much. It is taken to a degree from the Germans perspective. Most war books in English are from the American or an Anglo point of view. A war ship is disguised as a merchant ship, and for a year they travel the world to halt shipping to the allies. They raided or mined 23 ships in that period. They captured hundreds of enemy sailors along the way, but they applied the proper naval manners and I think they were gentleman raiders, if there is such a thing. When they ran out of coal they raided a ship, but handled the prisoners with dignity and respect. How the captain and crew managed to evade capture alone was quite a trick. I also found the narration perfect. If you are looking for a different point of view to WW I (outside of the trench) then this should be in your library.

an excellent story about a great adventure

I these centennial years of World War 1 it is good to find a great adventure story back dropped by one of the most inhumane wars of the twentieth century. too often the plight of civilian and civilian Mariners is overlooked in the stories of war. this still makes tangible the human toll War at Sea takes on individuals while displaying The Many Colors of the human character from depravity to nobility.

A very unique obscure history

A very intruiging story. rarely covered in modern histories, this long story of naval raider activity in WWI is worthwhile.

Meandering

Really into WW1 right now, had just finished Castles of Steel, and wanted to stick with the naval theme. So probably unfair of me, but the quality of the story-telling and explanation of how the individual moments fit into the broader aspects of the war didn't quite compare to Massie

Too little sea action.

What would have made The Wolf better?

The Wolf would have been better if the sea journals of the seamen and captives been emphasized. There was far too much focus on the nations' (Australia, England, Japan) response to the raider. Focus on people, not governments!

What could Richard Guilliatt and Peter Hohnen have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

See above.

Have you listened to any of Michael Page’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Page's performance was superb. That wasn't the problem.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I was disappointed with how little time was given to the sea action.

Any additional comments?

Audible does a great job with its book offereings. This one fell short.